Battle lines have been drawn over the planned demolition and rebuilding of a historic hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The family-run Hofsas House, a 37-room inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has been around since 1949, but it has now sparked a fierce proxy battle between two groups of residents: those who want to modernize and others who want to preserve history.
A group wants to demolish the building to build a new, modern luxury hotel – something new for the picturesque seaside town known as the Carmel Legacy Hotel.
The new building would be the largest construction project to be undertaken in the city since the 1960s.
The family-run Hofsas House, a 37-room inn overlooking the Pacific Ocean, has been around since 1949, but it has now sparked a fierce proxy battle between two groups of residents: those who want to modernize and others who want to preserve history.
The owner wants to tear down the building to build a new, modern luxury hotel and something new for the picturesque seaside town, known as the Carmel Legacy Hotel.
Owner Carrie Theis won unanimous approval from the city planning commission in April to demolish and rebuild the Bavarian-themed hotel, but those plans are now on hold.
But there is another group that is directly opposed to the town and wants the building to be preserved for posterity, with all its nostalgic and historic charm, known for its unique pink exterior.
The conflict has only escalated in recent months after third-generation hotel owner Carrie Theis won unanimous approval from the city planning commission in April to demolish and rebuild the Bavarian-themed hotel.
But just as Theis was preparing for demolition, Neal Kruse, co-founder of the Carmel Preservation Association, filed an appeal to block the building’s demolition and reconstruction, seeking to protect Carmel-by-the-Sea’s traditional architecture.
Kruse’s appeal has stalled in the final stages of approval, frustrating Theis and his family, who were preparing for the hotel to be demolished later this year or in early 2025.
Theis noted that the new hotel that will replace the Hofsas House will be similar in size and scale to the current property.
Some of the hotel buildings were built in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and are long overdue for replacement.
“I didn’t ask for more rooms to make more money, because I knew I didn’t want to push the boundaries. I didn’t do that,” Theis told Gate of Saint Francis about their plans for the new hotel.
“I wanted to do everything in the box. And I don’t like people not understanding that.”
Some of the buildings planned for demolition were built in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s and have long since outlived their usefulness.
The association said it was committed to “safeguarding the charming traditional architecture of Carmel-by-the-Sea.”
Kruse and his organization argue that demolishing Hofsas House would erode some of the unique character that defines Carmel.
“I want them to remember what they did and that will tell them how they feel about what residents need to know about what’s coming,” he said, expressing his concerns.
The Carmel Preservation Association said it was committed to “safeguarding the charming traditional architecture of Carmel-by-the-Sea” but does not want the building torn down.
The Carmel Preservation Association has described the potential demolition and rebuilding as a period of “absolute construction hell” that disrupts the serene atmosphere of the affluent waterfront community.
Theis said she was “not happy” with the appeal, which has now put the family project on hold.
Several Carmel City Council members want the project to move forward.
“I’ve been to that hotel. It’s a maze. It’s difficult. There’s no solution. I think it will be a great addition to the city when it’s finished,” said Councilwoman Karen Ferlito.
“I see more and more luxury hotels being built on the peninsula and I think this is a much-needed project. We need people to stay here instead of day-trippers staying outside the city.”
The possible reconstruction of Hofsas House is one of several large-scale projects underway in Carmel.
Kruse has described it as a period of “absolute construction hell” that has disrupted the serene atmosphere of the well-off coastal community.
While the debate continues, the future of Hofsas House is emblematic of the broader question facing Carmel about how to balance growth and modernization with preserving its unique historic charm.
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